Friday, June 7, 2013

Top Ten Most Anticipated Games of E3 2013

E3 2013 is but a handful of days away, and as is customary on SuperPhillip Central, we're going to list our ten most anticipated games for the show. From first-party offerings to third-party offerings, these are the games that get our mouths wet and our adrenaline running.

10) Rare's new game (XONE)

We start off with a game that isn't even known yet. What a great way to start a most anticipated E3 games list than with something without a known name. We do know, however, that Microsoft is going to be showing off Rare's Xbox One title next week. What will it be? Could it be a return of Killer Instinct? Banjo-Kazooie? Battletoads? We realize Rare is merely a shadow of its former self, as most of the original talent left long ago. However, there's an abundant charm and quality with Rare's game even in their post-Nintendo age.

9) Batman: Arkham Origins (Multi)

A Batman Arkham game without Rocksteady as the lead developer? Holy changing of the guard, Batman! The same team that worked on the Wii U's Batman: Arkham City - Armored Edition (not the same game, not the same content) are working hard to make sure the third entry in the Arkham series is of the same, if not better, quality than Rocksteady's efforts. We're really looking forward to seeing where the Dark Knight and his gallery of rogues will take us with Batmam: Arkham Origins.

8) Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (Multi)

Yesterday it was officially confirmed that Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland would be voicing Big Boss in the upcoming fifth mainline installment of the Metal Gear Solid saga. We think it works perfectly, as we've always likened Hideo Kojima to a failed Hollywood movie director, so this is great! Regardless, even though MGS V will no doubt follow the previous games' formula of 9,000 hours of cutscenes split up between five minutes of gameplay (we might be exaggerating a little), we're excited to see which direction the Metal Gear Solid franchise takes us and gamers around the world.

7) Rayman Legends (Multi)

February 26. That was supposed to be the release date for the former Wii U exclusive, Rayman Legends. Now, more people get to play the game, as it is being released on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita. Nonetheless, the Wii U Challenge App has only whet our appetites for the full game, releasing this September in North America. We deem Rayman Origins as one of the best 2D platformers ever concocted, and Rayman Legends is looking to blow that game away. We just want to see more Rayman Legends in action to tide us over until the game finally launches.

6) Knack (PS4)

Mark Cerny's potential masterpiece, Knack, is an upcoming platformer for PlayStation 3 that we, as huge platformer fans, are anxiously awaiting more information on. The titular main character has the ability to absorb metal, ice, and a smorgasbord of other substances into his body to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. This collaboration between Mr. Cerny and Sony's Japan Studio is our most anticipated PlayStation 4 title, and learning more about the game is making us quiver with excitement.

5) Mario Kart U (Wii U)

Mario Kart 7 was a wonderful entry in the long-running franchise. Mario Kart U will hopefully continue the series' success, great gameplay, and splendid track design. Sure, many state that Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed took the kart racing crown from Mario Kart, but we're still in the Mario Kart camp, regardless. We wonder how the game will be played, if the Wii U GamePad will have any novel uses (using it as a wheel to steer perhaps?), and what crazy tracks we will see this time from the masterful minds at Nintendo.

4) Dark Souls II (Multi)

A game which stands on many of the more hardcore gamers' top games of the generation lists, Dark Souls was a brutally difficult game where the risks were sometimes greater than the actual rewards. Don't get us wrong-- the gameplay of the title and its predecessor, Demon's Souls, was rewarding as it is. Dark Souls II was originally announced at the Spike Video Game Awards last December. Fans across the globe anxiously await some light to finally shine on the particulars of this title.

3) Unnamed The Legend of Zelda project (3DS)

What many fans are affectionately calling "A Link to the Past II", the newest handheld entry in The Legend of Zelda franchise returns to the world of the Super Nintendo classic, but introduces many new gameplay concepts and dungeons. For instance, Link can become a drawing, slipping through narrow passages and moving around the walls to access new areas. If you have a 3DS and you have not yet watched the 3D trailer of the game, you definitely need to. This is one of those must-have-the-3D-slider-turned-up-all-the-way games that will make you appreciate the 3DS's main selling point. All this and 60 FPS with or without 3D on, and you have a game we, as Zelda whores, can't wait to see more of.

2) 3D Super Mario U (Wii U)

Super Mario Galaxy and its sequel are two of the best games of the generation, and of all time. Just where Nintendo EAD can take the portly plumber after going into space of all places makes us absolutely giddy. He's been in the Mushroom Kingdom, a tropical island, and outer space now. Where can he possibly go next? We'll find out when Nintendo unveils the newest 3D Mario game for Wii U. It's always an event when a 3D Mario comes out, and it will be an event when it is finally unveiled.

1) Super Smash Bros. (Wii U, 3DS)

We were just anticipating seeing the first screenshots of the new Super Smash Bros. game. However, Masahiro Sakurai has a different plan. He revealed this week that at the Nintendo Direct the debut trailer for the game will be shown to all. Pardon us, we have some drool oozing out of the corner of our mouths. We love the Super Smash Bros. series, its waves to Nintendo's past, its addicting gameplay, its roster of legendary characters, its fun and creative battle arenas, and its epic amalgamation of all things Nintendo. The new Super Smash Bros. is our most anticipated game of E3 for these reasons. Nothing else comes close.

===

Three days in a row that were lists? We're crazy! While we still have your attention, what are YOUR most anticipated games for this year's E3? There's so many intriguing games to choose from, that it's hard to keep a list trimmed to just ten. Feel free to list as many or as few as you like in the comments section!